Control device



June 11, 1935. D. H. MITCHELL 2,004,918

CONTROL DEVI CE Filed NOV. '10, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l fizz/517WDOIZCZZdH/VLTC/ZGZL,

June 11, 1935 D. H. MITCHELL CONTROL DEVICE Filed Nov 10, 1932 3Sheets-Sheet 2 June 11, 1935. D. H. MITCHELL CONTROL DEVICE 3Sheets-Sheet 3 flarzakZHMzZZheZZ,

Filed Nov. 10, 1932 I 15 somewhat bulkybecause as a rule it includes inmg the mechanism associated therewith;

Patented June 11, 1935 I V UNITED STATES PATENT orricsv CONTROL DEVICEDonald H. Mitchell, Chicago, 111., assignor to Galvin ManufacturingCorporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois ApplicationNovember 10, 1932, Serial No. 642,061 13 Claims. (01. 250-20) Myinvention relates in general to remote condetailed description takenwith the accompanytrol devices and more in'particular to a remote ingdrawings, wherein I control device adapted for controlling a radio Fig.1 is a View partly in plan and partly in receiver. perspective with partof the cable broken away Although not confined to such use, my invntoconserve space; tion will be described as applied to an automobile Fig.2 is also a fragmentary view with apore. radio receiver. In this type ofreceiver, it is custion of a radio receiver shown in elevation andtomary to mount the chassis in a suitable conthe remote control 'devicein-perspective, looking 7 tainer supported within the automobile,usually at a slightly, diiferent angle;

on the bulk head separating the engine compart- "Fig. 3 is an end viewof a portion of the radio 10 ment from the passenger compartment, and toreceiver similar to Fig. 2 but with the parts shown provide a remotecontrol mechanism secured usuin a different position;

ally on the automobile steering post. In the usual Fig. 4 is a sectionalview taken longitudinally type of installation, this remote controldevice is through the control end of the flexible shaft showaddition tothe means for controlling the tuning Fig. 5 is a sectionalview lookingupwardly takmechanism (variable condensers, for example) a en on theline 5-5 of Fig. 4;

switch for turning off the current running 'to the Fig. 6 is anenlargedfragmentary sectional View receiver as well as a volume controlmechanism. taken on the line 66 of Fig. 1;

In other words, the main circuit switch is carried Fig. 7 is a sectionalview similar to Fig. 4' but :20

on the steering post as well as the rheostat which showing amodification;

controls the voltage running to the tube elements. Fig. 8 is a sectionalview looking upwardly on This arrangement is objectionable not onlybethe line 88 of Fig. '7; cause it involves carrying considerable mecha-1 Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan View partly in quires running severalwires between the receiver control mechanism housing is secured to anauto and the remote control device and these wires acmobile steeringpost; 1 cording to the present practice must be shielded Fig. 10 is anenlarged separated fragmentary carefully to avoid stray pick upon them.sectional view showing a feature illustrated-in 30 The principal objectof my, present invention Fig. 9;

is to avoid the objections hereinabove outlined. Fig. 11. is a plan viewshowing a modification of Another object is to control a radio receiverthe radio set control;- at a distance by employing only a singleflexible Fig. 12 is an elevational View partly in section, shaftconnection between the remote control delooking along the line I2I2 ofFig. 11; and

nism on the steering post, but also because it resection showing themanner in which the remote Q vice and the-radio receiver. Fig.'13 is avertical sectional view showing the 35 Another object is the provisionof a simple, control'end of the embodiment shown in Figs. 11 compact,and easily operatedremote control deand 12. we Y vice. Y Referring nowto the drawings, one embodiment Another object is to Contro a tunmechaof my invention, as illustrated particularly in Figs. 40 nism andvoltage Control dev e y means of a 1 and 2, includes a remote controldevice A and 40 Single fi f Shaftthe device B which is controlled. Eachof these Accordmg to the m features, of m portions of theinvention willbe'described sepa I support flexible shaft to .permlt rately inorderthat the relation between them r ited end or longitudinal movementthereof as may be established e :2 g g fi g 5 By The device indicatedgenerally by the reference moving 6 ca 8 Onbl u ma Se 86 We y encharacter B is shown as part "of a radio receivgage either one of a pairof adjustable devices, t I h th 1 t d utilizing a pair of clutchmembersin connection mg namuc F e t j mven Ion 9 with each device. In mypresent embodiment I not concern Itself Wlth the entlre the manor 50operate a rheostat andswitch when the cable is in portion thereof isomittedin the drawmgsh. 50 one position and tune a radio receiver by ad-The portion of the radio Shown includes a V justing ,the platesof'a'variable condenser when able Condenser H haVing stator plates a tcable is in another iti rotor plates I3 secured to a rotor shaft 14. The

Otherobjects and features of the invention will rotor shaft is providedwith a gear segment I6,

5 be apparent from a consideration of the following in the present case,a suitable type of gear for :which 'extends through the meshing with aworm |1 carried on a hollow shaft I8 journalled in bracket members I9.

I also show a volume control device 2|. This control device may be anyelectric control means normal to any type of radio set receiver.

In the present invention, I utilize a combination device including arheostat of the usual type including a resistance winding and contactarm which at one extreme position operates a switch to control theentire current supply to the'set. This is a standard piece of equipmentand the details thereof are not shown. A number of contacts 22 areprovided for connecting the electric control device 2| into the circuit.

Both the electrical control, device. 2| and the variable condenser I areoperatcdfrom asixigle flexible shaft 23 provided with a sheath-24. Theend of the sheath is anchored in a tubular projectic'n26 supported atthe sideof the container 21 by means of a set screw 28. The flexibleshaft, itself, is suitably connected toa shaft 29 hollow shaft l8as abearing.

Keyed'to the shaft 29 is a clutch assembly including clutch members 3|and 32 and a pair of ratchet members 33 and 34, the function of whichwill be pointed out hereinafter. The clutch member 32 is adapted toengage a clutch member 33 carried on the hollow shaft |8,.while theclutch member 3| is adapted to engage a clutch member 31 carried on ashaft 38 (Fig. 6) which connects to'the' operable portion of theelectrical control device 2|. The four clutch members employed are inthe embodimentshown constructed submembers are supporte s'tantially asgears, the ends of which are undercut to provide projecting clutchfaces, one for each gear tooth. It will be understood, of course, thatother types of clutch members may be employed. The constructionillustrated has an advantage, however, in providing for clutchengagement at substantially any position. It should be noted that theclutch projections are pointed tofacilitate engagement.

end movement to the flexible sha t or. cable 23, either pair of clutchmembers may be engaged whereby to operate either thecondenserorthecontrol device 2 Returning now to the two ratchet members 33 and 34,these are adapted to'permit holding the entire assembly including themovable clutch members in the position to which they have been adjusted.A pawl 4| is supported on a flat spring The pawl 4| being pointed andbeing urged by the spring toward the center of the shaft on which thetwo ratchet d will readily engage in the /-shaped slot at the sides ofthese members to prevent unintentional or accidental movement of theclutch carrying assembly. This pawl engages on either side of theratchet member 33, one V- shaped slot being between this member and the,movable clutch member 3| and the other V- shaped slot being between themembers 33 and 34. These arestructural features builtinto the presentembodiment, but it is obvious that any detentmechanism may be employedto provide a certain amount of resistance to the movement of the shaft29.

The ratchet member 33 is also provided with teeth and when the assemblyis shifted longitudinally the end of the spring pressed pawl passesbetween the teeth. This serves two useful purposes. In. the first place,it tends to line up. the two clutch members and, secondly, if the endmovement has not been sufficient to engage the By imparting clutchmembers, one rotary movement is given to the shaft 29, the pawl willconvert the rotor movement into a force longitudinally applied andcomplete the engagement of the clutch members. As will be pointed out,an indicator is provided for showing the frequency to which the receiveris tuned, and accordingly it is important that no movement be permittedwhich would allow the controlled end of the device to get out ofsynchronism with the controlling end.

The opposite end of the flexible shaft 23 extends "to a frame 45 carriedon the steering post column 41. This frame includes a housing wand 21.tubular bottom extension d into which the .sheath 24 extends, in whichit is secured by a screw 5|. A sleeve 52 surrounds the sheath at thepoint of attachment.

The flexible shaft 23 terminates ina shaft 53.

A clutch member 54 is secured to the shaft 53, Q

- within the tubular extension 49-and projects up into the housing ,48.This clutch member 54 has clutch projections onits upperface similar tothe clutch projections described in thecontrolled end I of the device;These clutch projections are adapted to engage between correspondinglypitched teeth on .apinion 56. This pinion has an extension 51 in theform of a sleevewhich extends up around the shaft 53. A diaphram 58 issupported on an annular shoulder in the upper portion of the housing andcarries a stud 59 on which a sleeve gear 5| is journaled. Thissleevegear carries a larger gear 62 which meshes with the pinion 56 andin turn meshes with a gear 63 carried on a hub .64. This hub extendsthrough the diaphram 58 and carries a pointer 66. Since the shaft 53extends through the sleeve 51, there will at all times be a slightamount of friction which will tend to turn this sleeve and the gear55,'even though the clutch member 54 is not in engagement with the gear.To prevent any turning movement, I providea spring washer or spider 61secured. on

the bottom of stud 55 and frictionally engaging the gear 62. Enoughfriction is impartedto the gear 62 at this point to overcome anypossible tendency for the gear 56-to turn due to friction between thisgear and the shaft 53.

p The diaphragm 58 has its upper surface finished as a dial 68 so. thatthe frequency to which the receiver is tuned will be indicated by theportion of the dial which the pointer indicates. A transparent coverplate 69 is provided over the dial, and this cover plate is secured inposition by'any suit able means, for example, a spring wire retainingmember 1| which engages in an annular groove around the top of thehousing. The shaft 53 projects through the cover plate and at its top isprovided with a knob 12 of a conventional type.

For locking the radio set, I provide a locking member 13 pivoted at 14and urged in a position to engage under the member 54 by a spring 16. Akey '11 engages in a keyway below the pivot 14 so that when in positionit will hold the locking member 13 against the action of spring 16 asshown in Fig; 4 and prevent movement of the locking mem her under theclutch member 54. The manner in which this device is used for lockingthe radio set will be shown when theoperation as a'whole is considered.

In'connection with my remote control device, 'I provide improvedmeansfor mounting the frame structure; 46 0nto the steering post 41.Referring to Fig. 9, I utilize a semi-flexible strap 18 which isprovided with a plurality of holes 19 at one end adapted to engage pins8| which extend into the frame but project outwardly a sufficientdistance to engage in the holes III. The frame has an extension 82arcuate on its end to fit around a portion of the steering post. Thestrap I8 completes the encircling of the post and is fastened by amechanism which permits suflicient adjust,- ment of the strap length topull it tightly about the post and make a firm connection.

The opposite end of the strap 18 is provided with a relatively largeopening 83 into which an eccentric 8i imparts the necessary tension tothe strap. Holding the nut in this position, the screw ill-is thentightened to hold the nut in place and a firm connection has beenestablished. It will be understood that the extensions 82 may havedifferent curvatures to fit different steering posts, so that this willbe the only portion of the device which will have who made special fordifferent sized posts. Even here, however, the curvature does not haveto correspond exactly with the curvature of the post inorder to make atight connection.

Referringnow to the operation of the remote control device. In theposition which the parts occupy in. Figs. 1 and 2, the clutch members 32and 36 are engaged so as to turn the worm I1 and adjust the position ofthe rotor plates of the variable condensers. This is the position inwhich the device is left when locked by the owner. The correspondingposition of the controlling end of the device shown in Fig. 4illustrates that when the key TI is removed the locking member 73 willdrop into. place and prevent any endwise movement 'of the. flexibleshaft. It will be understood, of course, thatthe receiver in themeantime has been shut off by controlling the device 2I. In order toturn the device 2|, the knob I2 is pushed downwardly until the clutchmember 3! engages the clutch member 31. The knob is then turned'andaccording to the usual construction of the device 2|, as described, the

rst movement is to turn on the main switch which supplies power to theset and thereafter continued movement merely increases the volume.

At this time, the clutch member, 54 (Fig. has been taken out ofengagement with the pinion 56 which also functionsas a clutch member sothat the indicator or hand it is notturned.

Now assuming that the radio set is to be tuned to a station, the knob I2is pulled upwardly,,thus moving the entire flexible shaft and restoringthe parts to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The condensers may nowbe operated until the desired station has been selected, after which ifthe volume is to be controlledfurther the knob I2 is again depressed tocontrol the volume. When the condenser rotor plates are turned, however,the indicator or pointer 56 is also turned due to the fact that theclutch connection is again re-established between the members 54 and 5G.The gears in the housing 48 are speed reducing so that for severalrotations of the shaft 53 the pointer 55 will move only a relativelyshort distance. This movement may be exactly the same as the movement ofthe condenser rotor plates, but I have found that it is preferable toemploy a dial covering more than 180 while the condenser plates are, ofcourse, moving only through approximately 180. Gear ratios. involved ateither end of the flexible shaft are ob.- viously a matter of expediencyand other gear structures can be employed.

In Figs. '7 and 8, I show a modification of the invention. Thismodification concerns the portion of the device mounted on the steeringpost.

In this form, the flexible shaft terminates .in

ashaft 89 supported transversely of the housing, being. journaled partlyin thehousing and partly in a transverse web. 90. The shaft carries asmall beveled gear 9| which meshes with a larger beveled gear 92. Thelarger beveled gear has a spur gear 93 meshing with a relatively largergear 94 mounted on a hub to which the pointer 66 is attached. Thesmaller beveled gear is normally held in engagement with the largerbeveled gear by a compression spring 96, one end bearing against thehubofthe gear and the oppositeend against the web 95 In the positionwhich the parts occupy in Figs. '7 and. 8, the condensers will be tuned.If the volume is to be controlled orthe main switch operated, the shaft89 is pushed in a sufficient distance to disengage the gears and engagethe olutch members 3I and 31. The spring 98 maybe made strong enough sothat this shaft will have to be held" in its inner position, or thespring operation may be such as to permit the detent or pawl'IIIexerting a holding action.

In the modification shownin Figs. 11, 12 and 13, the volume control andfrequency selector are always connected, instead of separatelyconnecting them with clutches as in the previous ernbodiment. In thisform, longitudinal movement of the flexible shaft is effective tocontrol one of the controllable elements, preferably the volume control,while the rotary movement of the shaft is utilized to select thestation.

Referring now to Figs. 11 and 12, the flexible shaft IOI terminates in astraight shaft I02 suitably J'ournaled and being keyed to a worm I03meshingwith the worm gear I04. The worm I03 is journaledin brackets I96and being keyed to the shaft I02 may be turned by rotating such shaftindependent of the longitudinal position thereof. I I

At the end of the shaft I02, a lever I01 is pivoted with a slot I09through which a pin I II carried by a bifurcated end of the shaft I92engages. This provides for. a shiftable pivot between the shaft and thearm IEII whereby the arm can be rotated about its pivot without binding.The end of the arm Ill! is provided with a gear segment II2 meshing witha pinion H3 carried on the volume control shaft H4. The numeral H6indicates generally the volume control which may be identical. with thevolume control de-' .At the opposite end or the flexible shaft anindicating means and locking means substantiallysimilar to thatdescribed in the preceding embodiment is provided. The shaft, however,is in engagement with the dial indicator at all times. Referring to thisfigure, the flexible shaft has an inflexible portion II'I provided witha keyway II8 into which keys II9 engage. carried by a sleeve IZI whichis integral with a pinion I22 and which pinion through a gear train asshown moves a pointer I23 over a dial I24. hand piece I26 is providedfor the control of the flexible shaft.

In the operation of the embodiment of Figs.

I 11 to 13, the condenser or other station selector is turnedindependent of the longitudinal position of the flexible shaft and inany such position the frequency selected also will be indicated by thepointer I23. Similarly, at any position of this pointer the flexibleshaft may be moved longitudinally to control" the volume. It will beunderstood that although I show the volume controlled by longitudinalmovement of the shaft and the station selected by the rotary movementthereof, these two movements. may be interchanged or other suitablecombinations thereof employed while still utilizing the principle of thepresent invention. The embodiment of Figs. 11 to 13, inclusive, it willbe noted, permits the operator to vary the volume during the tuning; inother words, both rotary and endwise movement can be imparted to theflexible shaft'at the In any embodiment of the'present complished byvarying the capacity of a variable condenser. It will be understood,however, that I may control any tuning mechanism and operate anysuitable type of switch. Furthermore, al-

though I show only two pairs of clutch members in the presentembodiment, it will be understood that .I can employ additional clutchmembers and control additional mechanism in the receiver. Nothing butstructurel changes, for example, would be required to mount the volumecontrol and main switch separately. Furthermore, I have referred to thedevice as adapted for controlling an automobile radiouset from adistance. The invention may be used, however, in controlling radio setsunder any conditions in which the set is at some distance from theoperator. It may also be employed for controlling other types of devicesin which substantially the same general problems are involved. It willbe understood, therefore, that my invention is'not 'limited to thespecific form of the invention shown and described, nor to the. specificapplication thereof.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. In a radio receiver installation, a chassis,

a frequency selector secured on the chassis hav-' ing a rotatable shaft,a power control devicehav ing a rotatable shaft, a flexible .shafthaving one end disposed adjacent said twoshafts, a pair of clutchmembers operably associated with one end of said flexible shaft, a pairof clutch members operably connected to the frequency selector shaft andpower control shaft respectively, and

means for moving the flexible shaft longitudinally to connect the sameoperablyeither to the condenser shaft or power control shaft wherebysaid conections are effected with only a relatively short longitudinalmovement of said shaft, said flexible shaft being rotatable to rotateeither of said shafts;

2. The combination defined in claim 1, including indicating meanslocated near the remote end of said flexible shaft, and means forforminga connection between the flexible shaft and the indicating means onlywhen said flexible shaft is operably. connected to the frequencyselector shaft.v

3.'In a radio receiver installation, :a tuning member having a rotatableshaft, apowercontrol device having a rotatable shaft, a. flexible shafthaving one end terminating near said shafts, a shaft forming acontinuation-of said flexibleshaft and having a pair of clutch memberssecured thereto, a clutch member operably connected .to the tuning shaftand aligned axially with one of said clutch members, a clutch member.operably connected to thepower controlshaft in axial alignment with thesecond one of said first mentioned clutchv members, and means for'movingthe flexible shaft longitudinally to connect the same through its clutchmembers with the clutch member associated with either of said shafts;

4. The combination defined in claim 3, including a plurality of ratchetmembers secured on said extension shaft, and a spring pressed detentadapted to engage between said ratchet members to hold said extensionshaft and flexible shaft in any position to which it is normallyadjusted. p 5. Ina. radio receiver installation, a chassis having atuning member and a power control device, a remote control deviceincluding a flexible shaft having one end disposed at a distance fromthe chassis and the opposite end terminat+ ing near said chassis, meansoperated in response to longitudinal movement'of the flexible shaft forengaging the shaft witheither the tuningmemher or the power controldevice, means for actuating either said tuning member or power controlmember in response to turning movement of the flexible shaft wherebyelectrical connection to said remove control device is obviated, a dialfor the tuning member but forming part'ofthe remote control device'andoperable responsive, to movement of the flexible shaft when connectedwith the tuning member, means for preventing movement of the dial whenthe'flexible shaft is connected for operating the power control device,and means for interconnecting said dial and flexible-shaft-only whensaidshaft is in operable communication with the tuning member.

6. In a radio receiver installation, a chassis having a tuning memberand a power control device, a'remote control mechanism including aflexible shaft, a frame member including a; housing adapted to besecured to the steering postof an automobile, a dial secured to'saidhousing, a pointer adapted to co-operate with the dial to indicate thefrequency to which the receiver is tuned, a clutch member operablyconnected to said pointer, a second clutch member carried by theflexible shaft, means for moving said flexible shaft longitudinally toseparate said clutch members, means for operably connecting the flexibleshaft to the tuning member when said clutc' members are connected, andmeans foroperably connecting said flexible shaft to the power controldevice when said two clutch members are disconnected.

'7. The combination defined in claimj6, in-

cludi-ng speed reducing mechanism between said flexible shaft and saidpointer and speed reducing mechanism between said flexible shaft andsaid tuning member. v

8. In a radio receiver installation, a flexible shaft, an extension ofsaid flexible shaft, a worm rotatably supported around said shaftextension,

a tuning shaft, a gear segment carried by said tuning shaft and engagedby said worm, a power control'device having a shaft in axial alignmentwith said-extension shaft but separated from said =9. The combinationdefined in claim a includ- 7 ing a ratchet device carried by saidextension shaft between the two clutch members, with a M-shaped annulargrooves and an annular toothed projection between said grooves, and aspring pressed pointed pawl adapted to engage in either of said groovesto hold either pair of clutch members in engagement, said toothedprojection and pointed pawl being effective to throw the extension shaftin either direction to effect a connection with one of said clutchesshould the shaft be turned when neither clutch is fully engaged. I

10. The combination defined in claim 8 including an indicating device atthe opposite end of the flexibleshaft, and means for operably connectingsaid indicating device to said flexible shaft only when saidflexibleshaft is in operable connection with said tuning shaft.

11. In a remote control device for an automobile radio set, a remotecontrol member having a portion conforming generally to the shape of anautomobile steering post, a strap surrounding the steering post,connections between the ends of the strap and said remote controlmember, means for adjusting one end of the strap to preliminarily adjustthe length of the strap to said post, and eccentric means at the otherend of the strap for tightening the same about said steering post.

12. In a radio receiver installation, a chassis having an adjustabletuning member and a rotatable shaft, a control device having a rotatableshaft, 2. remote control device including a flexible shaft, clutchmechanism for engaging the flexible shaft with either the tuning shaftor control shaft, a tuning indicating mechanism forming a part of theremote control, means at the remote control for imparting either longitdinal movement to the flexible shaft to operate said clutch, orrotatable movement to turn said shaft, and means for inter-engaging theflexible shaft and tuning indicating device only when said flexibleshaft is in engagement with the tuning shaft.

13. In a remote control device for an automobile radio set, a remotecontrol member having a portion conforming generally to the curvature ofan automobile steering post, a strap surrounding the steering post andhaving both ends connected to the remote control member, and aneccentric member carried by said remote control portion and engaging oneend of the strap, and

adapted to be rotated to tension said strap about said post.

DONALD I-I. MITCHELL.

